What will be the final chapter for group D? Ahead of the third and last matchday, two things are certain: with two wins in two games, the United States have qualified for the knockout stage and secured top spot. Turkey, their opponent tonight in Los Angeles, are already eliminated. So this fixture may not be the most thrilling of the tournament, carrying no sporting stakes for either side.

Attack or run down the clock?

But plenty of goals and twists are far from guaranteed in the other group D match between Paraguay and Australia either. The encounter, taking place simultaneously in Santa Clara near San Francisco, carries huge significance: second place. However, both teams are level on three points, with the Socceroos second ahead of Paraguay on goal difference (0 vs -2). If they part with a draw, they would be virtually assured of advancing to the round of 16, because under this new 48-team format, four points should be enough to finish among the eight best third-placed teams. Paraguay would thus be almost certain to play in the round of 16.

Will these two sides go all out to secure second place and push for a win, or will they settle for a draw that suits both? Everything is possible, but in its history, the World Cup has already delivered dull third group matches where both opponents simply passed the ball around and let the clock run. In any case, the Australians and Paraguayans will have a clearer picture after the final standings of the two groups that play before theirs (E and F). And if the results go their way, then you might not want to stay up until 4 a.m.